A motorcyclist, who admitted causing the death of his pillion passenger through dangerous driving by having a defective rear tyre, has been jailed for 22 months.

Sue Wright, of St Edmund’s Road, Southwold, died after a single-vehicle crash in Peasenhall Road, Walpole, near Halesworth on July 14 last year.

The 60-year-old was on the pillion of a Kawasaki VN 1500 C2 being ridden by Mark Kepler who was airlifted to hospital after sustaining injuries as a result of the crash.

Kepler, 56, of Hibbard Road, Bramford, initially pleaded not guilty to causing death by dangerous driving but changed his plea to guilty at Ipswich Crown Court earlier this year.

At crown court today (Wednesday, September 13) he was sentenced to 22 months imprisonment.

Speaking after sentencing, a police spokesman said: “After Kepler was charged with causing death by dangerous driving, a full forensic collision report concluded that the cause of the collision was his failure to maintain his vehicle in a roadworthy condition.

“The rear tyre becoming worn to such an extent that it suffered a catastrophic failure.”

Det Insp Christopher Hinitt, from Norfolk and Suffolk’s Roads Policing Unit, said: “It is the responsibility of all motorists to ensure that their vehicles are in a safe and roadworthy condition every time they travel.

“Failure to do so can have devastating, consequences for the driver, passengers and other road users.

“Carrying out regular maintenance checks is key here. If you have any concerns do get a professional to check.”